10 June, 2019

By VIVA Team

Best inland Costa del Sol areas

In today’s blog, I look at the top three inland Costa del Sol areas for prospective home buyers. I have chosen this small selection on the basis of what each municipality offers, in terms of property, services and amenities, its overall “liveability” and its existing popularity as a home purchasing destination.

To kick off the list – which, I might add, is in no particular order – we have the quaint hilltop town of…

1. Mijas Pueblo

If you’re looking for a typical, charming Andalusian white village perched on the side of a hill with commanding views over the coast below, Mijas Pueblo is the area for you.

Great for those who appreciate a slower pace of life, yet lined with bars, cafeterias and bodegas, the administrative capital of the greater Mijas area (also covering the seaside hotspot of Mijas Costa) is an excellent comprise between the buzzing town of Fuengirola, just six kilometres down the road, and other outlying residential complexes (urbanizaciones) in the Sierra de Mijas hills.

There is much to do and see (and eat) in the whitewashed pueblo, famous for its emblematic donkey taxis, including a lively programme of cultural events and food, dance, music and art festivals throughout the year.

Check out our Area Guide Video below:


2. Benahavís

Located a few kilometres inland between Estepona and Marbella, thus closing out what is known as the Costa del Sol’s “Golden Triangle”, Benahavís is a charming municipality home to some of the most exclusive homes on the Coast.

In fact, its La Zagaleta residential complex contains some of the most expensive real estate in Europe and a whole host of footballers, rock stars, Hollywood actors, models and TV personalities own luxury property there.

Fed by the fast-flowing waters of the Guadalmina, Guadalmansa and Guadaiza Rivers, Benahavís has fertile land yielding natural food products. This, together with the vast array of haute cuisine dining options that cater for its affluent populace, mean that it is commonly given the lofty title of the “culinary capital of the Costa del Sol”.

The town itself is typically Spanish, clean, safe and offers its residents a superb quality of life, making it ultimately liveable and home to a large expat community.

Click below to watch our Area Guide Video:


3. Alhaurín el Grande

Talking of large expat communities, Alhaurín el Grande has been a popular destination for foreign home buyers for several decades and continues to thrive to this day.

Located less than half an hour’s drive from Málaga international airport, the municipality is ideal for country lovers, golf enthusiasts and those who simply seek a great investment property in an area where the price per square metre is significantly lower than in coastal areas.

Alhaurín Golf and Lauro Golf are popular choices for golfers wanting to play great quality courses at a high altitude; in the process enjoying the superb panoramic views of the surrounding countryside as well as the challenges of the course.

For some images that really do the area justice, watch our Area Guide Video below:


What do you think of these three inland Costa del Sol areas? Perhaps you’re interested in one of them as the perfect destination for your second home or permanent residence? If this is the case for you, leave me a message in the comments below or contact our Customer Services team at [email protected]!